Breakdown of Tutti battono le mani quando l’attore principale entra in scena.
entrare
to enter
in
in
quando
when
tutti
everyone
Questions & Answers about Tutti battono le mani quando l’attore principale entra in scena.
Why is tutti used here, and what exactly does it mean?
Tutti means everyone or all people here.
It is the masculine plural form, but in Italian it can also be used for a mixed group of people, just like masculine plural often works in Italian. So:
- Tutti battono le mani = Everyone claps / Everybody claps
If the group were all female, you could also hear tutte, but tutti is the normal broad form when talking about people in general.
Why is the verb battono and not something like batte?
Because tutti is grammatically plural, the verb has to be plural too.
The verb is battere = to beat / to clap / to strike.
- io batto = I beat / I clap
- tu batti = you beat / you clap
- lui/lei batte = he/she beats
- loro battono = they beat / they clap
Since tutti refers to all people / everyone, Italian treats it like a plural subject, so:
- Tutti battono = Everyone claps
English uses everyone claps with a singular-looking verb, but Italian uses the plural idea: all people clap.
Why does Italian say battono le mani instead of just saying clap?